Carrion carries Pace over Niceville (VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY)
NICEVILLE — The name Roy Finch isn’t evoked lightly at Eagle Stadium.
But not since the current University of Oklahoma running back was gashing defenses for Niceville has there been such a jaw-dropping performance as Pace’s Richard Carrion delivered Friday night.
Carrion rushed for an astonishing 349 yards, including a game-clinching 95-yard touchdown run, as the Patriots defeated Niceville 31-17 and ended the Eagles’ 14-game regular-season winning streak.
Niceville (4-1), ranked fourth in Class 4A, had been relying heavily on its defense for its undefeated start through four games. But the Eagles couldn’t keep Carrion contained, as he ripped off runs of 20, 28, 26, 39 and 95 yards. His first-half and second-half outputs were nearly identical, as he gained 174 yards before halftime and 175 after the break for Pace (4-1).
And yet Niceville still had a chance to win in the second half. After the Eagles’ passing game had largely been quiet this season, it finally broke out in the third quarter against the Patriots. Quarterback Kyle McDorman completed all five of his passes in the period for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
The first score, which came after Pace’s second turnover on special teams, was a 16-yard strike to a wide open Brandon Burke to cut Niceville’s deficit to 17-10. Following a 17-yard gallop to the end zone by Carrion, McDorman threw a bullet down the left sideline to a streaking Terrell Nichols for an 83-yard touchdown as Niceville trailed 23-17.
Both teams came into the game known for their defenses, and they took over at that point, as Pace followed with a turnover-on-downs and two punts and Niceville had three punts. The last was a beauty by Hayden Meyer and pinned Pace at its own 5-yard line with 3:49 left.
But on the Patriots’ first play, Carrion burst through the middle, cut toward the right sideline and outran everybody to the end zone to seal the victory. It was the 33rd of his 34 carries.
Pace quarterback Devon Varney was nearly flawless in the first half, completing his last seven passes and finding Zack Lewis for touchdowns of 18 and 31 yards as the Patriots built a 17-3 halftime lead and outgained the Eagles 269-61 before intermission.
McDorman completed 11-of-26 passes for 159 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Andrew Mitchell had a 46-yard field goal.
Pace 31, Niceville 17
Pace 3 14 6 8 — 31
Niceville 3 0 14 0 — 17
First quarter
P – Jeremy Barlow 22 kick; 6:39
N – Andrew Mitchell 46 kick; 2:03
Second quarter
P – Zack Lewis 18 pass from Devon Varney (kick failed); 10:47
P – Lewis 31 pass from Varney (Patrick Maddox pass from Varney); 1:13
Third quarter
N – Brandon Burke 16 pass from Kyle McDorman (Mitchell kick); 8:18
P – Richard Carrion 17 run (kick failed); 5:17
N – Terrell Nichols 83 pass from McDorman (Mitchell kick); 4:13
Fourth quarter
P – Carrion 95 run (Maddox pass from Varney); 3:34
P N
First downs 19 9
Rushes-yards 48-390 20-54
Passing yards 128 159
Comp./Att./Int. 9-14-0 11-26-1
Fumbles-lost 3-2 0-0
Penalties-yards 6-65 3-20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Pace: Richard Carrion 34-349, Austin Autrey 10-47, Ryan Colvin 2-3, Devon Varney 2-(-9). Niceville: Marquis Pratt 8-27, Spencer Pullen 7-24, Kyle McDorman 5-3.
PASSING — Pace: Devon Varney 9-14-0, 128. Niceville: Kyle McDorman 11-26-1, 159.
RECEIVING — Pace: Zack Lewis 5-82, Patrick Maddox 4-46. Niceville: Brandon Burke 4-35, Hayden Meyer 3-17, Terrell Nichols 2-90, Marquis Pratt 2-17.
